Hey everyone! Vesak is an important day for people celebrating the Buddha’s Birthday. It’s like a special day to remember three big things in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha – the day he was born, the day he figured out how to be super peaceful (Enlightenment), and the day he Passed Away.
Now, these might seem like totally different things, but they’re all connected. Siddhartha Gautama spent his whole life trying to understand why people suffer so much and how to find peace. When he was born, it was the start of his journey. When he got Enlightened, it was like seeing the answer. And when he Passed Away, it meant his teachings about peace and kindness would live on.
Vesak is a time to think about these things. People who celebrate it use the day to remember the Buddha’s message: be kind, be mindful, and try to follow the “Noble Eightfold Path.” This path is like a guide for living a good life and being truly happy – kind of like a map to avoid all the suffering!
Here’s a fun way to celebrate Vesak with your family: prepare meals and share them with people who might not have enough food. Sharing is caring, just like the Buddha taught!
On Vesak day, you will see beautiful lanterns lighting up the night. These lanterns symbolise chasing away darkness and spreading wisdom, just like the Buddha’s teachings. There might also be special stories and teachings at temples, where you can learn all about the Buddha’s life.
Another cool thing you might see are pandals (Thorana) – giant, colourful decorations that tell stories about the Buddha. At night,they light up with all the colours of the rainbow! These pandals remind everyone of the Buddha’s message of love and compassion for all living things. So next time you see a pandal, remember, it’s more than just decorations – it’s a symbol of peace and kindness.
The most important part of Vesak is remembering to be peaceful and kind, not just today, but every day! We can all learn from the Buddha by being more aware of ourselves and others, being more compassionate, and making good choices.
So, whether it’s taking a few deep breaths when you’re feeling angry, helping a friend in need, or just being extra nice to everyone, you can celebrate Vesak by spreading a little peace in the world!
What do you say? Write to me and tell me all about your Vesak plans! Don’t forget to send me pictures of your cool Vesak decorations too!
Bye for now,
Aunty Francisco
You can reach me at – [email protected]
